South Coast Rep Adds World Premiere COMPLETENESS to 2010-11 Season

South Coast Repertory has added the world premiere production of Itamar Moses' romantic comedy Completeness to its 2010-2011 season. The play delighted audiences during its reading at SCR's Pacific Playwright's Festival earlier this year under the direction of Pam MacKinnon, who will also direct this production.

Moses first made a splash at SCR with his historical play, Bach at Leipzig. This time he's tackling the world of modern science. Completeness traces the complicated relationship of two grad students-one a computer scientist, the other a molecular biologist-who might just be perfect for each other if they can move beyond their fears and past heartbreaks. The play was commissioned by Manhattan Theatre Club.

MacKinnon, a frequent Edward Albee interpreter and one of the most sought-after directors in the American theatre, is also directing SCR's production of Becky Shaw in October.

Other recent additions to the season include Irish playwright Conor McPherson's alcohol-soaked ghost story, The Weir, and, in the Theatre for Young Audiences series, a musical version of The Emperor's New Clothes.

They join a season bookended by two audience favorites from seasons past: George Bernard Shaw's mischievous Misalliance, brought to life by SCR Artistic Director Martin Benson, and Richard Greenberg's Pulitzer-nominated Three Days of Rain, directed by Producing Artistic Director David Emmes. The new season also includes William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by SCR Associate Artist Mark Rucker, who has distinguished himself in the world of classical theatre. Also on tap are the Southland premieres of three plays by talented female playwrights: Annie Baker's 2009 New York hit and Obie winner, Circle Mirror Transformation, Gina Gionfriddo's wicked relationship comedy Becky Shaw, and Sarah Ruhl's spirited historical comedy In the Next Room, or the vibrator play.

The 2010-2011 season will also include the 31st rendition of holiday favorite A Christmas Carol, starring Hal Landon, Jr., Nov. 27 through Dec. 26.

Also on tap is the 14th annual Pacific Playwrights Festival, one of the preeminent festivals of new plays in the United States. The festival, which features five staged readings and two full productions (one of which will be Completeness), will take place April 29 - May 1, 2011. Watch for news on which play will fill the remaining open slot.

And SCR's Theatre for Young Audiences season features three lively and colorful productions for the entire family, including the return of the popular Sideways Stories from Wayside School. It will be followed by Lucky Duck, a new musical from the creators of Dreamgirls, and The Emperor's New Clothes.

Subscriptions are currently on sale, and may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office. Packages range from $42 to $495. Single tickets will be available starting Sunday, Aug. 8.

Tony Award-winning South Coast Repertory, under the artistic direction of David Emmes and Martin Benson, is widely recognized as one of the leading professional theaters in the United States. Founded in 1964, SCR is committed to theater that illuminates the compelling personal and social issues of our time, not only on its stages but through its education and outreach programs. While its productions represent a balance of classic and modern theater, SCR is renowned for its extensive new play development program, including the Pacific Playwrights Festival. Of SCR's more than 445 productions, 116 have been world premieres with subsequent stagings achieving enormous success across America and around the world. SCR-developed works have garnered eight Pulitzer Prize nominations with Margaret Edson's Wit winning the prize in 1999 and David Lindsay-Abaire's Rabbit Hole in 2007. Located in Costa Mesa, California, in 2002 SCR opened the Folino Theater Center, an expanded three-theater complex that includes the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, the 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage and the 94-seat Nicholas Studio.